Today we share a guest post by Zen Baby Travel who recently enjoyed the October half term holidays on the Lisbon coast in Portugal. If you are considering a family holiday, to a luxury hotel resort resort, read on for travel inspiration…
3.5 days with Martinhal Cascais have been a blast for all of us – intense, gorgeous and packed. And with such an amazingly family friendly and boutique set up, in all fairness, it’s been incredibly difficult to extract the kids and explore Portuguese beauties.
End of October Riviera Portuguesa (also known as Estoril coast ) spoilt us with temperatures over 25C to 30C. It really felt like autumn did not get there.
We headed to Sintra a late morning after a lazy breakfast and kids enjoying an hour Martinhal playgrounds. It took the Ubber about 25min to Sintra historical centre and 40min to Palacio de pena – Euro25 ride. For larger families or kids keen to watch cartoons, Martinhal has luxurious transfers but also good value for money.
Palacio de Pena proved as fairytale beautiful as in pictures. Originally built on a monastery and renovated extensively, the palace has been the summer residence of many Portuguese monarchs between 18th & 19th century. The Ubber left us at the bottom of the park on this glorious sunny and warm day. The climb was quite painful with our cheeky monkeys despite us coming well prepared with lots of sweet briberies. We mostly carried the 4 years old on our back and our 18 months in our arms – quite physical as one can easily imagine. But once up on the terrace they loved the views, Palacio de Pena architecture details with knights, dragons and swords, the fairytale set up with towers, stairs and little courts.
The way down has been joyous and filled with singing – so much easier for all parties! Our 4 years old also was keen on a tuk tuk ride, so we grabbed one at the Palacio de Pena entrance – funny wobbly ride on the narrow cobbled streets. Lots of notable stories and personalities lived in here – including one of my favourite Scandi fairytale writer – Hans Christian Anderson – we passed by his house.
We spent another hour by Sintra historical centre, wandered around cobbled streets, admiring the architecture and indulging in gellatos and beers. Unesco World Heritage since 1995, Sintra historical centre is filled with gorgeous romantic architecture monuments. Martinhal Cascais has some great value for money half days at Sintra but with our 2 young lovely monkeys we knew we need to be flexible and play it by ear, hence Ubber and tuk tuk at our leisure.
The next day we spent few hours in Cascais with the kids – wandering around cobbled narrow streets, snacks by the fortress and palace ruins, art galleries, fisherman port, icecream on the beach.
Cascais felt charming and cosy – could easily understand why it has been residence and a favourite of royals and VIPs alike. Few people were swimming on the cute golf by Cascais centre and on the side there were lots of fishermen boats and fishing nets and apparel.
Sunset is magic by Cascais shores and for a seafood treat we went to Furnas do Guincho . And with Martinhal impeccable childcare, parents felt at ease celebrating extensively friends birthday – few bottles of Esporao flowed beautifully with the Atlantic and red prawns, flamed seabream, lobster bisque and mussels. Next day we all embraced Martinhal spa to speed up the recovery!
With Portugal is known as the California of Europe; Cascais or Sagres would make a perfect warm break December, February half term or Easter holidays. And I can’t think of a better place for cappuccinos with the foam on and bellinis at breakfast!
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Image and video copyright – Zen Baby Travel
Discussion20 Comments
Looks like you had a fantastic time. Lisbon is always somewhere I’ve wanted to visit!
Fantastic indeed Jon! Lisbon coast in Portugal is wonderful and Martinhal has been a treat, warmly recommending !
Portugal is a place I would like to visit. Full of history and beautiful architecture
Stunning architecture, coast as well as the California of Europe – quite a combo! And when you have Martinhal resorts which are so well looking after kids, it becomes a proper holiday for all parties!
We stopped off in Lisbon earlier in the year as part of a cruise and have to say I would love to spend more time there.
Absolutely, 1 day is far from sufficient! We spent 1 Cascais and 1 in Sintra and we’d be ready to go back for a full week in a blink 😉
Portugal sounds absolutely magical. I’m with your 4 year old on wanting to ride on a tuk tuk! Sintra sounds amazing!
Hehe Lu, yes, my 4 years old got it right, tuk tuk is the way to go, soak in the views and the charm of the cobbled streets, stunning villas & palaces!
I’ve never been to Portugal, but after seeing quite a few people visit there this year it has quickly joined my ‘to visit’ list of places 🙂
I hope to get there soon Helen, warmly recommending spending a full day in Cascais and one in Sintra !
Oh this sounds so lovely, and a bit of warmth in the autumn too (she says looking out the window at the freezing rainy day!)
We are heading here in February and I cannot wait!! Not sure it will be quite as warm though
Fingers crossed Kara, I am sure you will have a blast weather regardless! Keep me posted on your impressions pls 😉
Looks like you’ve had a fantastic time! I’ve never been to Lisbon. Looks lush!
Thank you Katy, it’s actually Lisbon coast that I’m featuring in here and Cascais and Sintra are lush indeed!
It sounds like a lovely place to visit and a great trip. I had never fancied Portugal as a holiday destination until recently, my teen and dad went in September and had the best time so we are thinking of visiting in the next few years xx
Portugal is absolutely amazing, hope you get to go and experience soon! X
I love Portugal and have only been to Lisbon for work. I would love to go back and explore properly.
Yes, Lisbon just for work would not do justice..;) Fingers crossed you’ll be back soon on Lisbon coast, Sintra, Cascais and Martinhal included
We are heading to Lisbon in February with theach kids. Can’t wait after reading this.